ULSTER coach Alan Solomons will send his team into Heineken Cup battle against Northampton tomorrow, admitting: "We are probably in the toughest pool of them all."

Given that Cardiff and Biarritz complete the Pool Six picture, then Solomons has a fair point.

But he also knows that Ulster must win at either Franklin's Gardens, the Arms Park or in southern France to have any realistic quarter-final chance.

The 1999 European champions face an uphill task tomorrow, especially as Saints are unbeaten on home soil this season after defeating Zurich Premiership rivals Newcastle, Bath and Wasps. "Northampton are a hell of a powerful side, Cardiff have a great tradition and Biarritz are the French champions," Solomons said.

"In this tournament, you have got to win your home games and look to pick up one or two victories on the road, but it is going to be very, very tight. We are probably in the toughest pool of them all.

"The Heineken Cup is a great competition, and I think it has the ability to outstrip the Super 12," he added.

"I would like to see a few changes - four pools of six rather than six pools of four, all the matches played in a block and the ability to sign players during the tournament - but it really is a fantastic ompetition."

Northampton will be without their Australian centre Peter Jorgensen for the opening two Heineken Cup appointments with Ulster and Biarritz. Jorgensen twisted a knee during the victory over Wasps last Saturday, and faces a lay-off of between three and six weeks. Former England Under-21 aptain Mark Tucker deputises.